Married military musicians have found the perfect balance as they raise a family while enjoying careers pursuing their passion.
Musician Louise Thompson, of the Royal Signals (Northern) Band, and husband Andy, a Lance Corporal with British Army Band Catterick, are looking forward to the birth of their second child this year. And thanks to their roles as Reserve and Regular Army band members it is a harmonious family unit in more ways than one.
Louise, who won her band’s Musician of the Year award in 2024 - voted for by its members in recognition of exceptional musicianship or commendable service - is a stay-at-home mum to three-year-old daughter Harriet.
Flexibility to raise a family
She said: “With my husband’s work calendar being sporadic, working as a Reservist gives me the flexibility to still earn and do something I love whilst easily fitting around a busy family life.
“I have been playing in bands since the age of seven and started learning in a marching band, so I have always had an interest in military music. Joining the Army was always something I had thought about as a career from high school age but, after completing my music degree, life took a different path, and I went down the education route.
“When Andy joined the Regular Army at the age of 31, we decided to move our family to Catterick, and I wanted to do something that worked for us as a family but also would fulfil personal goals for myself.
"Working as a Reservist gives me the flexibility to still earn and do something I love whilst easily fitting around a busy family life."
Career gives focus
Louise, 32, says joining the Army Reserve has helped in all aspects of her life. “Having something that I can call my own really does make me a better parent and better wife when I am at home.
“Training for the assessment centre and practise for auditions gave me a real focus, which helped with the move to somewhere I wasn’t familiar with and away from family. This also enabled me to meet people and make friends.”
That flexibility will be even more appreciated with their new baby due in May.
"Having something that I can call my own really does make me a better parent and better wife when I am at home."
Full-time soldier Andy, 36, always liked the idea of being able to get paid to do his hobby and took the leap to join during COVID, as his previous role as an apprenticeship assessor & trainer at a West Yorkshire college changed significantly due to the pandemic.
Since then, he has performed all over the UK and abroad in Egypt, Cyprus, the Netherlands, France, and Germany.
Performing at major events at home and overseas
He said: “I’ve been lucky enough to perform at several large-scale national events such as the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the King’s Coronation, VE 80 and overseas at Arnhem 80 and Normandy 80.
“Being a brass band musician, performing with the British Army Band alongside the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain at Halifax Minster earlier this year, plus performing at the Whit Friday Marches in Saddleworth were highlights.”
